“What do you think her Father will say?” said I faintly.
“We are not going to tell him just yet,” returned he, “nor yet her Mother.”
“That sounds bad, Mark——”
“Nay, Cherry, you know how crazy the old Lady is to have Braidfoot for her Son-in-law; she’ll find in Time he won’t come forward, and Violet will take care he shall not, for she will give him no Encouragement; but, till her Mother finds it won’t do, there’s no Use in my speaking, for you know I have nothing to marry upon, yet.”
“When shall you have?” said I.
“When?” repeated he, looking a little annoyed. “Why, some of these Days, as the Saying is. You know I am thorough Master of my Business now, have served my time, receive good Wages, and am very useful to your Father. Who knows but that, as Time goes on, he’ll take me for a Partner, and finally retire from Business?”
“Ah, Mark, so little comes in now, that he will have nothing to retire upon. We can but just go on as we do.”
“Well,” said he, laughing, with a little Embarrassment, “perhaps Mistress Glossop will take me into Partnership. I’m a Favourite in that Quarter.”
“Mistress Glossop! Oh, Mark!”
“Nay, Cherry, don’t you see, if old Master Armytage takes a Fancy to me, he may make it worth her while to do so, for the Sake of his ‘sweet Wi-let’?”